Homelessness is one of the hardest issues we have to confront as public servants and partners in government. But working together to do so is more important than ever because homelessness impacts literally every community across the five boroughs, including our own constituents right here in Bronx Community District 7—often due to rising rents and stagnant incomes, not through any fault of their own. If we’re going to succeed in this fight, it’s because we find ways to tackle these challenges together, collaboratively along with our communities, putting people and neighborhoods first in all that we do. We must make

Governor Andrew Cuomo has marked April 24 as the day a special election will be held for the vacant 80th Assembly District seat that covers Norwood. The seat was held by Mark Gjonaj, a Democrat, who relinquished his seat after he was voted Councilman for the East Bronx’s 13th Council District in November. Some possible names floated to fill his seat include Gjonaj’s former chief of staff, Nathalia Fernandez and Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, a veteran political operative whose résumé includes serving as the former secretary of state for New York. Cuomo has also called a special election for the vacant senate seat

A serial burglar has robbed up to $10,000 worth of jewelry and other items from two homes in and around Bedford Park over the last month. Police have identified a person of interest in the case. He was spotted on surveillance camera entering a home from an “unsecured entry” near East 201st Street and Perry Avenue around 7 a.m. on Jan. and took items before leaving. A day later, a victim came forward reporting that $5500 worth of jewelry had been taken. That same person of interest matching the description from the first incident broke into a home two blocks

Well folks, this is week one of income tax season, and I again ask myself the same question: why? I can honestly say that tax advisory services does bring in 40 percent of our revenue. Of course, that’s a good thing. The Bad: Monday call: “I want to know how much you charge? My taxes are simple but I have a big problem.” Wednesday call (After free 30-minute phone conversation): “…are you sure you know what your talking about? My grandmother never did it this way.” Friday call: “Where’s my check?” Welcome to my world: 16 weeks of wonderful madness called income tax

Heart disease kills more people in the Norwood, Kingsbridge Heights and Bedford Park sections of the Bronx than cancer, says the city Health Department. At Montefiore Medical Center, nearly four dozen staffers strolled around so-called “Montefiore Mile” to set an example and make a point: walking can dramatically reduce one’s chance of developing heart disease. Four trips around the indoor path found at the hospital’s Moses Campus in Norwood equate to a mile. “You’re maintaining and building heart muscles,” said Dr. Mario Garcia, co-director of the Montefiore-Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care and professor and chief division of cardiology at

A salvage drum filled with diesel fuel has finally been collected from the northwest corner of East 204th Street and Perry Avenue after languishing there for several weeks. Residents worried about potential safety risks, including the possibility that it would explode. “I just want everyone to be safe,” said one resident, who first reported the incident to the Norwood News. “That’s basically it.” The resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “I live in the area and walk past the area every day and all of a sudden I see this big yellow drum there. Like, what is this? So

A Brooklyn developer has purchased a parcel of land at the northwest corner of Hull Avenue and East 204th Street, with hopes of transforming it into a modern two-story building featuring medical offices, a fitness center and popular restaurants. Both the Miramar Grocery and Botanica on Hull Avenue closed more than a year ago. The popular Beso Lounge on East 204th Street closed this past June and Liberty Tax closed around the same time. This came shortly before Transition Acquisitions, a family-owned Brooklyn-based real estate firm purchased the 78-year-old, 5,150-square-foot property. Faith Hope Consolo of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, the

Dear Fellow Readers! The latest edition of the Norwood News, largely covering the northwest section of the Bronx, is out with plenty of community news you can use. We pack 16 pages worth of news so let’s get started! We begin, as usual, with page one. There you’ll find a nice human interest story on Nilda Hofmann, a born-and-bred Bronxite who rose to the rank of NYPD Chief of Community Affairs in January. We’ll take you to the ceremony where the 28-year veteran received her gold star from NYPD top cop James O’Neill. You’ll also hear how the NYPD’s Neighborhood